Legion won't accept 'very regrettable' decision

Commander's Message

Receive e-mail letters from the National Commander focused on important American Legion initiatives and programs.

Calling the latest decision by a federal judge to remove a cross from a veterans memorial “very regrettable,” American Legion National Commander Daniel Dellinger vowed to continue supporting the legal fight to maintain the symbol that has stood at San Diego’s Mount Soledad for more than half a century.

“The fight for the Mount Soledad Cross perfectly epitomizes what is emblazoned on the back of every American Legion membership card, the words, ‘For God and Country,’” Dellinger said. “Fortunately, the court has stayed the order allowing 90 days to file an appeal. The legal fight has been going on for almost a quarter century and The American Legion, which has previously filed an amicus curiae (friend of court) brief, does not plan to retreat now.”

In addition to the cross, the memorial is accompanied by more than 1,600 plaques bearing names, messages and etched images of veterans. It also includes secular symbols and 18 Stars of David. The case could still be heard by the Ninth Circuit Court and, ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court.

“There is a popular saying that there are no atheists in foxholes,” Dellinger said. “While I respect the rights of the minority, most veterans are people of religious faith. What about their rights? What about the crosses that are on the graves of U.S. military heroes buried in veterans cemeteries? The American Legion takes these attacks on the religious rights of veterans very seriously and we salute the Liberty Institute and all of those willing to stand up to this intolerance.”

More in National Commander

henry bassman

The U.S. is a multi-religious society. "For God and Country" imprinted on our membership cards does not specify that one religion - Christianity - is our nation's preferred means of worshipping God. Erecting a cross above a memorial for veterans of multiple faiths sends an implicit message endorsing one religion over another. To argue that such an insult to people of other religions who served should be permitted because it is 59 years old is ridiculous. If such an argument were valid, separate drinking fountains and rest rooms for people of different races would still be permitted. Take the cross down and place it on church property.

Bill Douglas

I think we need new laws that establish "allowable religion promotion" when the members of that group (ie, Veterans) want it. Non veterans have no business making decisions for what veterans want as their 'memorial.'

Jeffrey Brown

What makes you assume that atheists and Humanists are non-veterans? And every American, regardless of his status as a veteran, is free to seek redress from the government. Veterans are subject to the same Constitution and laws as everyone else.

rfluna2013

It is a sad day in our country when we give in to all radical minority
demands, Santa claus, Jesus Christ, etc.,etc., we should stand firm and
demand our rights also, not just cave in to all frivolous demands by
haters of this country and for what it stands.

Mark Seavey

Rod- It wasn't that Federal Judges fault, in fact he even said in his opinion that he thought the cross should stay. His opening statement makes that clear:
This court previously held (and continues to believe) that permitting a historic, now 59 year-old cross to remain as part of a federal war memorial atop Mount Soledad cannot be reasonably viewed as our government's attempt to establish or to promote religion. But
a panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled otherwise.